need atv advice

Brentsbiggamehounds · Post by **Brentsbiggamehounds** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:54 am

I have not found snow that it would not go through,and this year should be the test of all tests

bearcat · Post by **bearcat** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:03 pm

I ride an older Arctic Cat 500 with the straight axle. I have over 8000 miles on it with very few problems. If I was buying a new bike I would go with the Suzuki 500, it has the same motor as my Cat, which I have been very happy with, and a straight axle rear end. I know a lot of people want the ride of a fully independent machine, but the straight axles are a lot more stable and most have as smooth a ride as I need. I prefer to pull a dog trailer instead of hauling them on my bike, if your going to pull a trailer I wouldn't go any smaller than a 500. I like the Rhino but, here you can't take anything over 48" wide behind the gates, and legal or not most gates you just can't fit anything much wider around. Also maybe I'm just old-fashioned but I prefer a manual shift (both Arctic Cat and Suzuki still make them, not sure about all other brands, but most of them you can't get a manual tranny in) with a manual tranny you don't have to worry about burning belts. Seen a lot of Polaris's broke down in the woods because they burnt their belt. A friend of mine has a Honda with the electronic shift and my cousin used to have one. Hondas are very reliable but they both had constant problems with the electronic shift. So I would steer clear of that (and its expensive to fix)

dog chaser · Post by **dog chaser** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:44 pm

Bowhunter7,

Just curious if that picture was taken up morris fork of blue creek. I staked several gas wells up there and that picture looked like one of the wells was just off to the left.

Catch · Post by **Catch** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:49 pm

There is no substitute for power. I just road the new Arctic Cat 1000 Saturday, and it is my new toy. I have owned or hunted off of them all and it comes down to power, power, power! JMO

krk hunting · Post by **krk hunting** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:17 pm

did you get the tracks directly from polaris and how difficult are they to install and what time does it take to do so. is it harder to steer.

kevin

Catch · Post by **Catch** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:06 pm

krk I don't know about Brent's tracks, but I put a set on a new King Quad 750 and it was a snap. I bought the tracks from the wheeler dealership, they are made by Cammo Plas or something like that. I had to install a couple of brackets but nothing serious. The total install was about a hour.

krk hunting · Post by **krk hunting** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:08 pm

thanks i was looking at thoes the other day and wandering how well they also did in the snow and are there any weight restrictions to them and can you use the tracks on dirt.

kevin

Big-Shooter · Post by **Big-Shooter** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:29 pm

I got the eight hundred Polaris and with the tracks it is awsome!! It will go anywhere but we have a hell of a time keeping it in one piece. Its all plastic which is a dumb thing. Im not dissing the polaris cause it digs way good but like I said it breaks down on a regular basis with the tracks. My polaris has been in the shop bout twelve times my HONDA NEVER. I love the tracks though they are truely amazing.. They are hard to stear and take away your gas milage but they are amazing in the snow. I Know some people use them to go through mud and the san dunes to.
Honda aint got the most power but man I would go with a honda over a stinkin Polaris any day if your looking for a dependable bike. Guaranteed to never break down. All depends on how you use your bike in my opinion!!

krk hunting · Post by **krk hunting** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:33 pm

i have a 2000 honda 450es and i sure like it have had very few problems but i sure like the tyrack sytem. i was thinking about the rhino or the ranger even.

kevin

Big-Shooter · Post by **Big-Shooter** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:36 pm

I just bought the Rhino over the ranger.. Love the Rhino!! Good 4x4! Really like it for hunting

krk hunting · Post by **krk hunting** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:38 pm

what do you think about the new aro 8x8

kevin

Catch · Post by **Catch** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:43 pm

I'm don't know about the weight restrictions. I have road in the snow, dirt, sand and mud. The brand I bought are tough and simple. The ride is a little rough out of the snow but it gets there.

TRACKER · Post by **TRACKER** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:31 pm

http://i25.tinypic.com/2ccrrmd.jpg
My RED ARCTIC CAT and huntin partner Houndoggin.
Auto, fully independant sus, Adjustable shocks, 2-4wd, Diff lock.
I have an Artic cat 500 and I'll put it up against any Honda any day. Both are good machines and for the record arent belt driven. All machines are created equal nowadays.
Just dont buy a plastic, belt driven, P.O.S. Polaris. I wont let any one hunt with me who owns one anymore. Their always broken down and falling apart.

Sincerely
your favorite Arctic cat lover.

lsorenso · Post by **lsorenso** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:41 am

Don't let em fool ya, I've tried em all. Polaris has the best mechanics for a reason, they have plenty of work, the Polaris will get you where your going but you may have to walk back trust me I know. I have had two yamahas, a kodiak and a Grizzly, they are both good. Here's the problem the grizzly has independent suspension and electronic 4wd. Well, its all good until a snowy day huntin lion and a bunch of snow builds on the rear axles. Then you go out the next morning and the snow on the axles is frozen to the cv boots and sticks to them and twists and tears em. If you are like me you put off fixing them and have to replace axles at 800 dollars a pop. Then in the cold you cant get the electric 4wd to engage. So if you want reliable do what I did, buy a honda with a solid rear axle and manual shifting, no problems foolproof.

bearbredplotts · Post by **bearbredplotts** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:30 pm

all excellent advice and opinions. i gots me mind made up me thinks. thanks for all the responses.

need atv advice

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